Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that Christian Benteke does have a future at the club despite being left on the bench for the Reds' past two Premier League matches, with Klopp opting to play Roberto Firmino as the central striker against both Arsenal and Manchester United.

It seems to have been a struggle to accommodate Benteke into the side, but Klopp explained his reasons for him starting on the bench in both games, and is quoted in the Express saying: "I understand this: we don't score enough goals and you ask about the striker, the only striker in your mind, we have.

"He is on the bench and that seems to be strange but not in my opinion. As long as I have some influence in the starting line-up then I would like to use this influence."

The same report in the Express says that Simon Mignolet is likely to start in goal for the Reds with Danny Ward ineligible for tonight's game. Adam Bogdan hasn't been part of the matchday squad since his mistake in the first game against Exeter where he conceded a goal straight from a corner.

Brad Smith is in line for another piece of first team action tonight at left-back, and it has been a revival of sorts for the Australian who was out of contract with the Reds during the summer, and he told the Liverpool Echo that he thought it was all over.

It's thanks to Smith's first senior goal that Liverpool managed to set up a replay with the League Two side at Anfield tonight, but he has said he thought it was all over for him at Anfield as he had trials with other clubs.

"A lot of things go through your mind when things like that are happening.

Ian Bolland

A journalism graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. During his time at university, Ian spent time on work experience at local newspapers in Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan, and prior to that he did work for The Observer's 'fans verdict'. Ian also has interests in news, current affairs and business but mostly sport, including football, rugby league, cricket, golf and Formula 1, amongst others.